University of Alicante

The Program

Founded in 1979, the University of Alicante is recognized as one of Spain’s most modern universities. Over 30,000 students attend, and over 32 degrees are offered. The campus offers many services, such as banks, restaurants, art galleries, museums, sports and medical facilities. Alicante University welcomes students from all over the world, and its staff strive to give all visitors all the support they need to fully integrate into the program and Spanish life. Minimum age is 16 yrs.

The Location

Alicante is situated on the Mediterranean coast with wide stretches of white sandy beaches surrounded by mountainous terrain. It is the capital of a lively Province whose most thriving industries include tourism, citrus fruits, garden produce, manufacturing, and fishing. The climate and coast offer numerous water leisure facilities. Alicante offers a wide variety of entertainment: theatre, cinemas, numerous tapas bars it is famous for its local fiestas. It is easy to travel to Alicante due to the excellent national and international communications. The busy airport El Altet has regular flights to major destinations in Spain and abroad. Trains, express buses and ferry service all provide good transportation.

For long periods throughout history, Alicante was occupied by Iberian, Roman, and Arabian civilizations. The city itself is constructed on two ancient Roman settlements, Akra Leuka and Lucentum “city of light”, the remains are on view to visitors.

Courses

Spanish Language – all levels: beginning, intermediate, advanced and superior. Four hours of class per day for the Semester and Quarter terms. In the Semester term, a total of 320 hours, and 240 class hours in the Quarter term. All students take a placement test upon arrival to determine level of Spanish ability. Classes are held in the morning and early afternoon. 4 hours per day in Summer. Minimum age is 16 yrs.
Arrive one day prior to starting date.

Optional courses in Spanish Culture and Civilization are also available, butdepends on the number of students interested and your Spanish level. Course list and availability provided upon your arrival and check-in.

All students take a final exam upon completion of their studies. Transcripts and Certificate of Completion is awarded by the University of Alicante to those Students who complete their term of study.

Beginners Level: For those students who have little or no knowledge of the Spanish language and wish to acquire the basics in order to be able to understand and communicate on a simple level. Students are taught to read and produce simple texts, letters, and to understand short descriptions and texts. Basic daily conversation Spanish.

Intermediate Level: Aimed at students who are already familiar with Spanish and wish to consolidate their basic knowledge and improve spoken and written skills. Enable students to participate in conversations and debates, intervene in discussions relevant to daily life. Students are taught how to understand newspaper and press reports and narrative texts. Enhance comprehension ability.

Advanced Level: For students capable of expressing themselves and understanding standard Spanish. Building on their knowledge, gaining confidence in expression, and reaching higher standards of fluency. Students are taught strategies and communication skills in written and spoken Spanish, enabling them to express themselves in public, understand complicated scripts and elaborate reports.

Superior Level: This is the highest level for students with an advanced level in Spanish, and wish to perfect and specialize their skills. Gives students the capacity to communicate fluently, conduct speeches, and be able to grasp the message implicit in technical debates and programs. Students are taught to recognize hidden messages and connotations in texts to understand contemporary scripts, as well as to write fluent texts, using creative Spanish at the highest standard.

Beginner students take this course. Basic rules of grammar, vocabulary and phonetics. Focus is on conversational skills, writing, and reading comprehension. Students learn the daily life necessities, as well as expressing emotions and how to communicate opinions and using the correct language in social settings. Grammar sessions will include the alphabet, pronounciation, use of conjugation of basic verb tenses (indicative, subjunctive, and imperative), differences between the ser, estar and haber, reflexive and possessive pronouns, and compound sentences. Spanish culture is also introduced, covering topics of daily life including political and social.

This is the major language program for intermediate students. More advanced grammar, vocabulary, written composition, reading skills, and oral expression. Students learn how to support their opinions, give instructions and ask questions, express more complex feelings, as well as joining a conversation without preparation. Irregular present tense verbs, indefinite and pluperfect indicative verbs, conjugation of the past perfect, imperfect, prepositions, and continuing features of ser and estar. Spanish cultural aspects will include introduction to customs, poitics, and economic issues.

This course is the core language program for advanced level students. Improving oral fluency and written composition skills is ther major emphasis. Students participate in class discussions, analyze text, and engage in a more complex study of the Spanish language. Increased vocabulary, presenting arguments, properly using usted and tu, express their feelings better, select relevant materials from texts,are all covered in this course for advanced students. Grammar component includes sentence formation, complex verb forms, passive voice, uses of subjunctive versus indicative, uses of se, commonly used suffixes and prefixes, and style delopment. Spanish cultural aspect inlcudes Spanish and Latin American history, as well as Spanish values and way of life.

Superior level students are in this class. Mastering the more subtle aspects of Spanish, grammatical and phonetic. Class discussions, debates and written essays help students express complex ideas more confidently. Understanding Spanish spoken at a rapid pace, and using Spanish in more formal settings is emphasized. Perfect pronunciation, punctuation, distinction of verbs forms, Spanish command forms, and aspects of adjective placement are covered. Cultural part includes Spanish history, literature, art, and cinema.

Focus of this course is on Spanish business terminology and other vocabulary often used in business communications. Developing students oral and written skills for business situations. Introducing the cultural differences that influence how business is done in Spain. Overall, the course prepares students with the practical skills needed to interact in the Spanish -speaking business world.

The course is an overall review of Spanish history and culture. Focus is on the Spanish historical and cultural legacy, as well as the development of modern Spain. By reviewing significant events in history, politics, and it’s most representative works of art, literature, and architecture, students will develop a general understanding of Spanish civilisation.

Academic Credit

Students earn 3-4 credits per month. Thus, about 1 credit per week. 4 hours of class are taught daily, 20 hours per week.

Financial Aid

Yes, you can use your financial aid on this program. Please have your Financial Aid office e-mail us a “Consortium Agreement” to complete and sign. CSA does not offer any scholarships or financial aid, we can only assist you in using your home school’s financial aid on this program.

The earlier the better, since it takes time to process. Overall, CSA does not offer any financial aid, we can only assist you in obtaining and using your aid from your home school on these programs.

Note: Housing in residence or flat can be added to your balance, or paid there.
Host family housing is paid there. Actual cost may vary due to exchange rates.
Additional info provided with your final documents.

* Student Residence: single room furnished + full board (3 meals) in cafeteria. Room includes private bathroom, and kitchenette shared with room next door.
Free W-Fi. 24 hrs reception. If residencia is full, then students are placed in nearby shared apartments (flats) – similar facilities and includes full board.

* Host family housing – single room in Spanish home nearby. Full board (3 meals daily).

Select your housing preference on the registration form.

Early registration is advised, in order to secure your preferred housing.